2011-12 Individual Accomplishments

Illinois Dike Eddleman Athletes of the Year

Andrew Riley, Track & Field

Riley became the first male athlete in the history of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships to win national titles in both the 100-meter dash and 110-meter high hurdles in the same year. The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named him the Track Athlete of the Year after helping Illinois to its best finish at the NCAA meet (11th) since 1988. He won four NCAA titles in his Illinois career, which ties for the most in the history of the program, and is an 11-time first-team All-American and 11-time Big Ten champion. Riley holds five school records, one Big Ten record and two Big Ten meet records.

This season, Riley posted a 10.02 school record time in an NCAA semifinal heat of the 100 meters. He won Big Ten Outdoor titles in the 100-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles and ran the lead leg for the Big Ten champion 4x100-meter relay. During the indoor season, he improved his school record time in the 60-meter dash five times and ran the second fastest times in the country in both 60-meter dash and the 60-meter hurdles. He set a Big Ten meet record in winning the 60m hurdles, while also claiming the conference title in the 60 meters. He ranks second on the Big Ten's all-time list in both events.

"It's a blessing and it's heartwarming to know that the University of Illinois has recognized my talent and has chosen me twice," Riley said. "It's a good feeling to know that I can represent Illinois and come out on top of all these other great athletes. I hope I can be an influence on other young athletes and let them know that all it takes is to have a dream and the dedication to make that dream a reality. I humbly accept this award and thank all my coaches, counselors and all who aided in my development."

Colleen Ward, Volleyball

Ward was named first-team All-America this season after garnering second team All-America honors as a junior in 2010. She was named to all-tournament teams at both the State Farm Illini Classic and the BYU/Nike Invitational and finished her career with 1,610 kills and 1,044 digs combined in two seasons at Florida and two at Illinois.

Illinois had its best season in school history, reaching the program's third National Semifinal and first appearance in the NCAA Championship match, and Ward was instrumental in the run. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Gainesville Regional, posting 38 kills and 20 digs while hitting .319 combined in two wins. Ward tallied 23 kills while hitting .500 against her former school, Florida, to clinch a Final Four berth then followed that with 27 kills and 22 digs while hitting .268 in the national semifinal victory over USC. She was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after also adding 19 kills and 13 digs in the national championship match against UCLA.

"It is an honor to be recognized alongside some of the other tremendous athletes to compete at Illinois," Ward said. "Playing at Illinois for these great coaches and teammates has truly been a special experience, one I'll never forget."